Treatment Outcome in Endodontics: The Toronto Study-Phases 3, 4, and 5: Apical Surgery

Introduction: The long-term outcome of apical surgery performed on root-filled teeth presenting with post-treatment apical periodontitis has been the subject of debate; therefore, current evidence is required to support the prognosis of this important procedure. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the long-term outcome of apical surgery and (2) to identify significant outcome predictors in Phases 3-5 of the Toronto Study, pooled with the previously reported Phases 1 and 2. Methods: The 4- to 10-year outcome of apical surgery was prospectively assessed by a blinded, independent, calibrated examiner and dichotomized as healed (periapical index score <= 2 or scar; no signs or symptoms) or diseased. Teeth presenting without signs or symptoms were classified as functional. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate outcome predictors, pooling Phases 3-5 (n = 40) with Phases 1 and 2 (n = 94) for improved power. Results: Of 261 treated teeth in the pooled sample, 96 were lost to follow-up, and 31 were extracted. Of the remaining 134 teeth (85% recall, excluding 66 teeth that could not be recalled) examined for outcome, 99 teeth (74%) were healed, and 126 teeth (94%) were functional. Three significant (P < .05) outcome predictors were identified: age (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; confidence interval [CI], 1.01-6.00; healed: >45 years, 84%, <= 45 years, 68%), preoperative root-filling length (OR, 3.4; CI, 1.34-8.76; healed: inadequate, 84%; adequate, 68%), and size of the surgical crypt (OR, 1.9; CI, 1.19-3.16; healed: <= 10 mm, 80%; > 10 mm, 53%). Conclusions: In this 4- to 10-year cohort study, the outcome was better in subjects >45 years old, teeth with inadequate root-filling length, and crypt size of <= 10 mm. (J Endod 2010;36:28-35)